Air Lock Plumbing [2021] Site

If you’ve ever turned on a faucet only to hear sputtering, gurgling, or no water at all—despite the valve being fully open—you may have encountered a common but frustrating plumbing problem: an air lock .

While not dangerous, an air lock can disrupt water flow throughout a home or building. Understanding what it is, why it happens, and how to fix it can save you a costly service call. An air lock is a pocket of trapped air within a water pipe that prevents the free flow of water. Because air is compressible and water is not, the trapped air acts as a physical barrier. When water pressure from the supply line pushes against the air pocket, the air compresses slightly but does not allow water to pass beyond it. air lock plumbing